ADL Opposes Nomination of Brett Talley for Alabama Federal Judgeship

New York, NY, November 30, 2017 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today urged members of the U.S. Senate to reject the nomination of Brett Talley as U.S. District Judge for the Middle District of Alabama.

In a letter to Senators, ADL outlined Talley’s lack of experience in practicing law, potential conflicts of interest, and past instances of his giving voice to extreme views and bigoted, reckless rhetoric.

“Though ADL rarely weighs in on judicial nominations, we are deeply disturbed by the nomination of Brett Talley and have serious doubts as to his qualifications for a lifetime appointment on the federal bench,” wrote ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt.

“There is no place on the federal bench for a person who spreads Islamophobia anonymously on the internet, tolerates hate, and defends a terrorist organization that, from its very inception, was dedicated to white supremacy and racial violence,” Greenblatt wrote.

According to the Washington Post, Talley, 36, has only practiced law for three years and has yet to try a case. He worked as a political speechwriter for Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign in 2012 and for Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) from 2013 to 2015.

ADL is the world’s leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education, and fighting hate online, ADL is the first call when acts of anti-Semitism occur. ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate.